So our minds almost never rest until we fall exhausted into bed.

In todays world our minds are being constantly entertained by phones, tablets, tv’s and computers – so much so that we almost never have a moment to quiet or calm our thinking. In truth, our minds almost never rest until we fall exhausted into bed. Many believe this kind of lifestyle isn’t good for a lot of reasons. Our health is threatened because we have stress that comes from confusion and lack of concentration and focus. We are constantly seeking an inner peace, wanting to eliminate anger, aggression, and depression. It’s been proven that the stabilization of our minds can help us have better concentration, calm emotions, and help us feel happier.

Ok, this isn’t saying we should do without technology (after all I’m a web designer). Many much wiser and more gifted than I say that meditation can help our lives become calmer, more peaceful, and bring understanding into our lives. And even bring back things we miss about our childhood – carefree joy.

My name is Sangdrol Blanchard, and I’m a Tibetan Buddhist practioner of 10 years.  I am also an artist, a writer and a photographer and currently do professional web and graphic design for the forest service helping to preserve our public lands. Over the years I have learned to bring the education, training and experience of design into my living environment. Today I have my own personal meditation space in my home, and I love helping others be creative about their own space.

Working at a desk all day with a computer can be rewarding and can bring great benefit to others as well as yourself. But in these days of remote working, something new has arisen that none of us have considered.  Being alone, in an office, but in meetings and on the phone all day can contribute to a noisy and stressful way of living, and a mind that never stops busy thinking.

Worse, when we get done with work, we leave our desk, but still carry our phones with us, turn on the tv, ask our smart devices to play the news/weather or music. We also stop to text, check our email, order our groceries, shop online for a new chair…. it never stops… and neither does our mind.

Even today’s practices can be done through Zoom or Youtube. So while our house might be quiet, the room is quiet and silent, but still… we sit with headphones on engaged all evening too. So, take a break. Explore creating a dedicated meditation space, escape into it after work, before dinner, and let your mind relax and take a break from ‘running down the road.”  It can change a stressful life.